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Interview with Darren Nelsen
March 21, 2006
Darren Nelsen is a composer and a guitarist. For information about his work, visit www.curiomusic.com.
Tibbetts: How long have you composed, and what made you decide to become a composer?
I have been composing on and off since 1992. However, between 1996 and 2004, I didn't compose much at all. I was focused on a separate computer/Internet-related career. But I'm back to composing now, more seriously than ever. It is my passion and my dream. I am now committed with dedication, focus, and discipline, and I have a composing schedule that I stick to rigorously.
I decided to become a composer at the age of 18, inspired by my two favorite composers, Charles Ives and Frank Zappa. Frank got me started on the idea, after reading an interview on how he began, and it was Charles that set me on fire! The moment I heard Charles Ives' music, I said, "That's it! That's what I'm going to do! I will be a composer."
My main instrument is electric guitar, so I was listening to a lot of guitar players prior to that, but I was always in search of something deeper... more knowledge, more theory, more of the understanding of the way music works... in pursuit of the mystery and the knowing... so that played a large role in my decision to be a composer, too.
Tibbetts: What inspires you?
Many things... my spirituality, my wife (who is a wonderful artist and teacher), and other musicians, certainly, hearing someone great and wanting to be like them. The pursuit of excellence and not wanting to be mediocre. Also, there is simply a passion, a fire, a desire to manifest all the millions of ideas I have. It's the excitement and thrill of wanting to explore these ideas. In addition, I always love reading or hearing interviews with other composers, that always gets me going, hearing what they do and how they do it. That usually triggers something for me, and I want to get in the studio and try things out.
Tibbetts: Of all you have done, what do you consider your best work, and why?
I have not yet written my best work. As a composer, I'm still in "training mode", I feel. My vision far exceeds my execution, because I'm still honing my skills and developing my capabilities. It's really a difficult question to answer. Of the music of my past, I'd say 6 Notes is a good one, because it is seemingly so simple, yet has infinite possibilities in how it can be performed. It's expansive--it opens people's minds when they think about it, play it, hear it. There's so much mystery and unknown to be explored there when you look beyond its simplicity.
Tibbetts: What is your 'typical day' like?
Get up, stretch, breakfast, handle dogs, say good morning to my wife, head off to a corporate 9-to-5, come home, eat dinner, handle chores, then compose!!! Two hours per night. 20 bars of music per day. That's my quota. However, due to other obligations, I can only do this three days per week. So, I write 60 bars of music per week. That's a must. It keeps me going--it gets me out of my head and gets notes on paper (or computer). You gotta have progress, no matter which direction. So this is one way to do it, and it works for me.
On weekends, I will rehearse the music I wrote that week with my ensemble, to find out what works and what doesn't. So, a 2.5 hour band rehearsal on Sat. or Sun. And playing out live when we can to get the music in front of listeners.
Tibbetts: Do you have any words of wisdom to offer to aspiring composers and musicians?
Read the book, Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland. I use it as my bible. It is the best thing I have ever read on being an artist. The important thing is to just do it! Do your work, over and over again. Find out what works for you and do it. Don't give up. Just keep working. Find a way to do your work, do it consistently, and don't be too self-critical. Oh, and enjoy yourself! Enjoy the process, and keep going.
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